Patrick Henry Meagher

Patrick Henry Meagher, seven years after vowing to keep a John Wayne attitude while duking it out with early onset dementia, made his great escape on Friday, March 2, 2012. He was 72, and after almost 46 years of marriage, will have his memory and gene pool carried on by his wife, Mary; daughters, Marie Bourgeois, Patricia Lynch, and Kathleen Krak; his sister, Connie Capone; and a slew of grandkids, Jake, Shelby, Maya and Logan Bourgeois, Francis Lynch, Paddy Alviano, and Ryley and Kaiden Krak.

Born in Bellows Falls, Vermont, he was an adorable toe head that baked with his mom one minute and used an old parachute to jump from a roof the next. After surviving both childhood and teenage misadventures, Pat followed scholarships to various colleges. While attending University of Maryland, he took a fated break one night at Matt Kane's Bar and spotted a feisty brunette from Ireland. She thought he was skinny and he thought she was a challenge. Pat's girlfriend at the time didn't stand a chance. A few months later, he and Mary got married. Family soon followed, along with a career long stint with a company that eventually became Cigna. In 1982, after multiple work related moves, Pat and Mary settled in Tallahassee. A perfectly imperfect man, his knack for what might be diplomatically described as acting like a kid made for colorful exchanges with his wife and a lot of great memories: sled reds down the backyard and almost into a creek, playing wounded war soldiers, launching rolled up socks as "Malcrusion Buzzer Bombs", crayons for sick days, fake juggling, competitive trout fishing, piggy back ride down driveway during a hurricane, Vermont trips, baking fresh French bread and pastries in the winter, marathon beach walks, countless games of football, seafood celebrations at bonus time, touring Irish castles, turning task of unloading groceries into a game of "yuck or yum", homemade ice skating rinks, snow forts, love of wildlife and outdoors, infamous treasure hunts that included family and boyfriends alike, and so on. His antics continued as Grandpa. In between, he made time for occasional golf and poker games with friends. Not above bragging about his kids and grandkids, he loved each and every one. As the nest emptied, Pat and Mary hit their stride, enjoying retirement, each other and traveling the states and Ireland, Mary often enduring Pat's penchant for long road trips. Rather than let the fun stop seven years ago, they continued to enjoy many, many more trips. He eventually, but reluctantly, passed the driving reins, both literal and figurative, to Mary. Although his condition took its toll over time, he still managed to pitch in the morning of Mary's cancer surgery, and made countless trips to see the grandkids, zoo trips and rides in a too-small mini train, walks to the park, movie theaters, hitting balls at driving range, football tosses, etc. Certain things survived throughout, to include his sweet tooth, cheery morning greeting, trade mark snicker laugh, back scratch hugs, and his faith in Mary. An avid poker player, he knew the hand he was dealt and chose to stay in the game. Stealing a phrase he used to bestow the highest compliment, "He was one cool dude."

A memorial will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, March 9, 2012 at Culley's Funeral Home, 700 Timberlane Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32312, with a lunch to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local Hospice. Pat would also want you to read this and go grab a football for a quick game with friends and family.

Arrangements are under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, Tallahassee, FL.